The influence of general health and socio-cultural variables on the periodontal condition of pregnant women.

Background: There has been speculation as to whether hormonal changes during pregnancy or pre-existing conditions of general, oral, and dental health and socio-cultural background have a greater impact on the development of periodontal disease during pregnancy.

Methods: This study evaluates the periodontal status of 130 pregnant women (plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level) and its relationship to demographic (age, professional level, education, and urban or rural residence) and clinical variables (gestation period, previous pregnancy, health status, previous live births, previous periodontal maintenance). The hospital in which the study was conducted was selected during a prior pilot study.